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Peacekeeping or peace enforcement? : a proposed model for intervention in Sub-Saharan Africa

Links, Stalin Bernard (2000-03)

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.

Thesis

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The principles and characteristics of peacekeeping, as the United Nations (UN)
in its search towards global peace and stability originally intended, are not
adhered to in Sub-Saharan African countries. In this context, peacekeeping
operations are perceived to be synonymous with biased armed intervention and
the enforcement of peace through the application of force, often without the
consent of the parties involved in conflict.
As the political situation in many Sub-Saharan African states deteriorates, a
greater need for peacekeeping and even peace enforcement operations has
arisen. Mounting pressure on South Africa from regional forces, as well South
Africa's own national interest to become involved in peacekeeping, calls for an
evaluation of 'Sub-Saharan African peacekeeping' per se. This situation creates
a dilemma as regards both the responses by regional organs and the reaction of
states to the endemic and escalating conflicts in collapsing states. Can what is
currently happening in Sub-Saharan African still be referred to as
peacekeeping? Do we need a fresh approach to conflict resolution in Sub-
Saharan Africa? Are the UN principles, set in a post-World War " global
context, still applicable in a deteriorating intra-state context?
In an attempt to find answers to these questions, this research focuses on the
nature of peacekeeping operations from an analytical, comparative perspective
with the aim of identifying commonalities and differences in the approaches and
practices of countries that have participated in peacekeeping operations. Could
it be that 'classical' UN peacekeeping has simply become historically outdated
and that modern peacekeeping operations are dictated by the socio-political
environment and thus requires a new approach? It would appear that the
concept of peacekeeping needs to be re-defined from an African perspective in
order to equip regional organs with a firm theoretical foundation for possible
future involvement in Sub-Saharan African peacekeeping and peace
enforcement endeavours. The UN's peacekeeping performance on the African continent over the past
decade has raised serious doubts as to whether the UN has the capacity or will
to deal effectively with inter-state and more specifically, intra-state conflict.
Consequently, Sub-Saharan African peacekeeping is currently standing at a
crossroad. It is also evident that a transition needs to be made from 'classical'
UN peacekeeping principles to a 'modern' African approach in touch with
Africa's prevailing circumstances and demands.
From the research findings and case studies, a conclusion is drawn concerning
how 'modern' peacekeeping practices compare to 'classical' peacekeeping, as
envisaged in Chapter VI of the UN Charter. In addition, a model is proposed for
dealing with the unique challenges of Sub-Saharan African intra-state conflict.